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Baltimore Sun

•BASEBALL: The Yankees declined to offer salary arbitration to World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Andy Pettitte, a move that means New York would not receive draft picks as compensation if they sign with other teams. As of early evening, 18 players had received arbitration offers and just seven of them were position players: Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Mark DeRosa; Red Sox outfielder Boston outfielder Jason Bay, Angels third baseman Chone Figgins, Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre, Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Marlon Byrd. ... Infielder Alex Cora is staying with the Mets, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract. ... Catcher Brian Schneider and the Phillies agreed to a $2.75 million, two-year contract. ... The wife of former Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis died from an overdose of cocaine and an anesthetic, lidocaine, an appellate court disclosed Tuesday. ... The Dodgers confirmed broadcaster Vin Scully will return to the booth in 2010.

•MOTORSPORTS: Danica Patrick said she still doesn't have a NASCAR deal in place. A photo on Patrick's Web site showing her wearing a NASCAR fire suit - a picture that was quickly taken down - suggests something might be in the works, but nothing has been announced yet. ... Penske Racing has named Jay Guy the new crew chief for Brad Keselowski's No. 12 car next season.

•SOCCER: Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball, for European Footballer of the Year, by a record margin. The Argentina forward helped Barcelona win the Champions League, Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles last season. Messi beat Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, last year's winner, by 240 points. ... Serbian President Boris Tadic faces a fine for having a champagne toast at a soccer stadium after Serbia qualified for the World Cup. Drinking alcohol at a sports venue is illegal in Serbia.

•OLYMPICS: Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Committee is looking into legal action against Robin Williams after comments he made on the "Late Show" with David Letterman. Williams said Rio received the 2016 Olympics because it sent "50 strippers and a pound of blow" to compete with Chicago's entourage that included President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

•ALSO: UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland said sophomore forward Drew Gordon is no longer on the team and that he intends to transfer. The 6-foot-9 Gordon is the Bruins' third-leading scorer, averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while starting all six games. ... Former Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso will return to the Tour de France in 2010 following a four-year absence.